caldwell



(No Model.)

E. P. CALDWELL.

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RAIL JOINT. y

Patented May 15, 1 894.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. P. CALDWELL.

, RAIL JOINT. ,j No. 519,904. Patented May 15, 1894.

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UNITED STATES EDWARD I.

PATENT OFFICE.

CALDWELL, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO THE I-IEATI-I RAILJOINTCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

RAI L J O l N T SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.519,904, dated May 15, 1894.

Application filed January 2l, 1893. Serial No. 459,042. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD P. CALDWELL, of Minneapolis, in the county ofHennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to rail joints or ties, and the object of theinvention is to provide a combined rail or tie-plate, adapted forconvenient fastening to the ties; and having an integral angle-iron andbrace to be secured to the rails, in combination with a separableangle-bar engaging the opposite side thereof.

To this end my invention consists in general in the constructions andcombinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed outin the claim, and will be more readily understood by reference to theacoompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 is a plan View of a rail joint em bodying my inwention, aportion thereof being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a side View of myrail-joint. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is across section on the line y-'y of Fig. 2 showing the end of therail-joint.

As shown in the drawings, 2 represents the rail or tie-plate which isformed from a blank having a projecting side which is turned up andformed into the integral angle-bar 3 of less length than the flat partof the plate. The plate is cut back and when the angle bar is turned upthe ears or projections 4 are formed and provided with holes 5 toreceive the rail spikes, which are driven down into the ties and engagethe tops of the rail flanges. In the opposite sides of the plate Iprovide holes 6 and 7 for spikes, which similarly engage the rail liangeor flanges. In order that four spikes may be placed on each side of thejoint I punch the holes 8 in the middle part of the plate before theangle bar is turned with the result that the openings or gaps shown aremade in the curled edge of the angle bar so that spikes may be drivendown close to the edge of the rail plate and sinking below the surfaceof the angle bar engage the topof the rail-iiange or base. A furtherpeculiarity of the angle-bar is shown in Figs. 3

and 4 where it will be seen that the outer part thereof extends inwardlyin a horizontal plane, a short distance, forming quite a sharp corner l0to engage the rail-liange andi from which point springs the inclinedpart of the angle-bar which is completed by the vertical part, the wholehaving a form resembling that of a sh plate. An ordinary fish-plate orangle-bar Il is provided on the opposite side or sides of the rail orrails and bolts l2 extend through the rail web and through both theintegral angle-bar and the separable angle-bar, thereby firmly securingthe rails and joint together and accurately aligning the ends of therails. Then the joint is first placed in position the upper or verticalpart of the integral bar does not ordinarily stand exactly straight butit is drawn close into the groove in the side of the rail by the tensionon the bolts, the indented lower part of the angle-bar having the cornerIO permitting that part to spring and adjust itself to the rail-base. Aperfect tie plate and bed for the rail is thus formed, which plate isstrengthened by the upwardly projecting integral angle-bar which, inasense, forms a truss, and in addition the rails are firmly and squarelyheld in place, the wide bearing surfaces of the plate upon the tieseffectually preventing the tilting of the same.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- The combination, with a rail or tie plate whereon therails are adapted to rest and provided with ears 4 having spike-holes,of an integral 'angle bar formed from said plate and adapted to engagethe side of .the rail or rails, said integral angle-.bar provided with acor` ner or depressed portion 10 to engage the rail-flange or flanges,and bolts for securing the anglebar to the rails, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day ofDecember, A. -D.

